A widespread species that is not currently in danger of extinction, but may decline in future, should planned shale gas extraction go ahead.

Distribution

Endemism

South African endemic

Provincial distribution

Northern Cape, Western Cape

Range

Roggeveld and Nuweveld escarpments to Matjiesfontein.

Habitat and Ecology

Major system

Terrestrial

Major habitats

Fynbos, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo

Description

Upper south-facing slopes, 1000-1700 m.

Threats

This species is potentially threatened by habitat loss to infrastructure development related to shale gas extraction. Most of its range falls within an area earmarked for shale gas extraction, but the potential extent of the impact of the population is at present too uncertain to make estimations of potential future population reduction.

Population

J.P.H. Acocks, in his surveys of the vegetation of South Africa in the 1950s and 60s, found this species to be widespread and common across the Roggeveld and Nuweveld escarpments, but noted that plants are heavily grazed. Current population status and trends are not known.